Scrapbook Sunday: 5 Simple Scrapbook Ideas for Full Page Photos

Raise your hand if you love the idea of scrapbooking but don’t have bucket loads of time to spend on detailed pages! Or maybe you have a few special photos you want to print out but not enough to fill an entire album? I’m sharing five simple and quick ideas to create quick album fillers using full page photos and some basic supplies that you probably already have on hand. It’s a great way to enjoy the creative process while ending up with something you’ll be able to show off to your friends and family.

The first step to getting fun scrapbook pages is taking fun photos! Most smartphones have the ability to take great photos and photo-editing apps like A Color Story can give you an exceptional range of editing options. All five of these photos were originally posted on Instagram. I took them with my iPhone and edited them with A Color Story. To get them printed out, I found the edited versions on my phone and e-mailed them to myself at the largest file size available. I then printed them out on my Canon printer. They are about 8″ square since they were edited for Instagram, and I will likely add hole punches directly to the pages and include them in my album. If you prefer having all of your pages in pocket protectors, just size your images according to your needs.

Hand-Cut Text

Whether you pre-trace your font or just eyeball it, hand-cut text gives you some room to use specific colors and patterns to infuse your scrapbook page with your aesthetic without the limitations of what is on the market. You don’t have to worry about running out of vowels or perfectly spacing your letters. You can make them as big or as small as you like, and if you mess up, just cut out another one!

For this page I cut four squares that were the same height but slightly different widths, and then hand-cut my letters from those parameters. This ensured there was enough consistency in height for them to look good. Another option is to trace around alphabet stickers or chipboard from a store in order to get a specific font style.

Negative Space Journaling Spots

I could’ve easily placed a white circle on top of my photo for a journaling spot but really wanted a more interesting effect. I traced a circle on the back of my image, roughly where I knew it wouldn’t interrupt any important details, and then used craft scissors to cut out my circle. Then I taped a piece of lined card stock to the back of my photo and added my journaling.

Another way to use this would be to cut out a title or word and then fill in the negative space with very small journaling. Yep, now I’m wishing I’d done that one because it sounds even more fun!

Oversized Text for a Graphic Look

Use oversized alpha stickers on top of your full page photo to add a graphic element without taking away from the image. Instead of adding a lot of journaling to this page, I just kept it simple with a large word that complimented the colors in the photo and got my message across.

Some pages call for tons of text so you can remember the details of a moment and others just need to let the photo do the talking. This is a great option for when you love a photo but don’t have enough similar photos to create a full layout. This page can stand on its own in an album.

Photos as Journaling Spots

I often find myself taking texture photos that have great colors and love using them as journaling spots, especially on top of busier photos. Look for images that have subtle texture or patterns and colors that are bright enough for you to write on top of without losing your text. This page shows photos from early spring when all of the trees were blooming and seemed fitting to use while journaling about this personal season of life.
Ombre Journaling Spots

I’m forever a fan of paired tonal colors, so when I was thinking of a way to show off one of my favorite photos of my kids in front of a mint wall, I decided to use three shades of pink paper from my stash. I just trimmed them down to take up a little bit of space in one corner of the photo. I love the color they add. It’s a great way to use up scrap paper and add a little more interest to your page.

These are just a few simple, quick, and easy ways to get those photos printed out and into an album without feeling the need to reinvent the wheel with every layout. Sometimes keeping it simple is the most effective way to not only complete a project, but to enjoy the process! –Rachel

Credits//Author and Photography: Rachel Denbow. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.